The Royal College of Psychiatrists has updated
its guidelines on the assessment and treatment of people with
substance misuse problems who are detained in police custody.

The Guidelines, now in their fourth edition,
have been revised by a Working Group chaired by psychiatrist
Professor Hamid Ghodse. Professor Ghodse has worked in the field of
addictions, mental health policy and medical education for more
than 35 years, and was last week presented with an RCPsych Lifetime Achievement Award in
recognition of his work.

The Guidelines recognise that the assessment
and treatment of substance misusers present forensic physicians
with challenges. The Guidelines stress the importance of good
communication, of working closely with custody officers, and of
shared responsibility for the safety and care of detainees with
substance misuse problems. In particular, the Guidelines stress the
importance of:

the full participation of
forensic physicians in all aspects and at all stages of the
healthcare of detainees with substance misuse/dependence

providing advice to custody
officers and others involved with detainees with substance
misuse/dependence

comprehensive
contemporaneous records

appropriate sharing of
information in accordance with the law and the General Medical
Council's advice on professional confidentiality

being aware when making all
interventions that the interests of the detainee as a patient is
paramount.

Professor Ghodse said: "Addicted individuals
should always be cared for and treated without being stigmatised –
whatever their personal circumstances. Over the last couple of
decades there has been a major increase in substance misuse, and a
corresponding increase in the numbers of people detained in police
custody who misuse substances. Most of these detainees are
vulnerable people.

"It can be difficult to undertake a proper
assessment of someone in police custody. However, a detained
substance-dependent person who is at risk of complications is
entitled to exactly the same quality of healthcare as they would
receive in other locations. The overriding principle of care must
be their safety, and the treatment of suffering that occurs as a
result of substance intoxication or withdrawal."

Professor Ghodse added: "Previous editions of
the Guidelines have been very well received by all those who deal
with detainees in police custody, and we hope they will find the
fourth edition just as helpful."

References:

Note to editors:

The Working Group included representation from the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the College of Emergency Medicine and the Association of Chief Police Officers. The group included officials from the Home Office and Department of Health (who consulted with officials of the devolved administrations in contributing to the work of the group).